EPISODE 126: IMPERIUS GRAND SUMMIT 1
— Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Color Fading.
Carine Holmes looked at the massive, intimidating, ebony-gradient, impressive gates of the War Throne Palace as his carriage slowly passed the strict checks by the Royal Knights. A nervous, but excited atmosphere was present in their carriage as his family made their way deeper within.
“Stop gawking boy, don’t act like a country bumpkin who’s never seen the world,” his father’s southern voice chided. His words lacked any bite as the near carbon copy, but the older version of Carine was doing the same. The only difference between the father and son was their age, interest, and weight as his father’s belly threatened to burst his waistband daily. His father wasn’t exactly fat, but their family’s merchant business was well-off, and that status showed.
“Scoot over! I cannot see,” the voice of his younger sister said. Seconds later, small hands pushed Carine’s head out of the way and a small, feminine, curly-headed version of their father gazed from their carriage window.
Carine pinched her chubby cheeks but allowed his sister the room to view the outside. They, and many others of a similar status, were the first to arrive at the War Throne Palace.
Carine’s father, Carine Sr., pulled back and a sigh escaped from his lips. “This is the Holmes family opportunity, we cannot spoil it.”
Carine nodded at his father’s words. A briefcase with multiple plans and documents was in his lap. “I believe in you Father, you secured this opportunity because you were quick in engaging with the new system of trade.”
“The Rails are quick, efficient, and can move goods far faster than beast-drawn carriages. Perhaps they are not as fast as any flying carriers, but they allow a far greater transportation of large quantities of goods. If they develop large dimensional crates to place on the trains, then the quantity of moved goods will…” Carine Sr. rubbed his hands together, his eyes glittering the same color as the coin of the country as he smiled gleefully.
Carine rolled his eyes at his father’s excitement. “What is important is the opportunities I will have with this father. The capital is actively recruiting [Lawyers] and more men of law. The return of the importance of this class shows the direction Edryan is headed for.”
Carine’s father smiled. “It was Princess Carina who originally brought our family up. My grandfather held dreams of being more than a farmer, and when the Princess began the Commoner Empowerment Act, he took the opportunity to sell the farm and use everything to get to the capital…”
Carine nodded, his family was forever grateful for Princess Carina, their namesake. The founder of the Holmes Family was forever grateful, so much so, that he named most of his descendants after the princess. Without the laws and changes she began to enact during her rise as Crown Princess, then perhaps the Holmes may still have been mediocre farmers on the Narri Plains. Now, the Holmes own a medium-sized merchant company that was on the rise due to Carine’s Sr. exploits.
They’d just returned from their villa on the same land their ancestors used to farm in the southeastern region of the country. It was a testament to how far their family had come within a few centuries. A time that could not be considered long when it came to the large Houses and other merchant companies. They were an upstart but a promising one.
“Ahh, Praise the Lavish and the [Golden Finger]—His Highness has made it far easier to do trade with reputable businesses due to his permits. If not for His Highness Lawruthian, I’d not have been able to send you to [Law School].”
“And I will forever be grateful to the both of you for that. Thank you, once again Father.”
Carine Sr. smiled at his son. “Just make sure you put that rare class to use. The knowledge of it was not cheap.”
Their conversation died down as they made their way deeper into the grounds of the palace. The place was massive, as the royal grounds held a circumference of five miles. There were multiple buildings and grand libraries Carine hoped to one day study within. Fortunately, there would be a day in which minimal activities occurred, and these areas were open to visitation.
Plenty of ooohs and ahhhhs emerged from his sister’s mouth as they made their way deeper. Royal Knights on magnificent white steeds trotted up and down the pathways as they guided many on where to be.
“Brother! Brother! What is going to happen today,” the young girl asked excitedly.
“Today’s event is the opening, you should know this,” Carine began to explain, smiling at his sister. “It is the day of the Royal Procession where the most important people in Edryan will show themselves. All the important ministers before, eventually, the Queen and the Holy Prince himself!”
“It is an opportunity for us to expand our network as once the address is over, there will be multiple halls in which the higher nobles of the country will be stationed,” Carine Sr. interrupted. “You must be on your best behavior, Carina, don’t allow your namesake to be disappointed.”
The young girl sat up straighter and smoothed out her dress. “It’s too bad Mommy had to stay home. She would love all the pretty (Mage Lights) and decorations.”
“She’s due any day now! It’s best not to bring her to such a stressful situation… aren’t you excited to be a big sister,” Carine asked.
“Of course,” the young girl exclaimed excitedly.
“Well, since we’re on the subject, do you remember what the next two days will consist of,” the young man quizzed his sister. He’d taught her earlier, and now it was time to see what she remembered.
Carina sat up with pride and began to explain. She’d only turned seven this Central and this was her first ‘big event’ now that she was older. However, the father and son would not be bringing her every day.
“First is the Royal Procession, but you already explained it. Tomorrow is…,” the young girl squinted her eyes and put a hand on her chin, thinking. “…tomorrow is the Ancestral Remembrance, where we worship the ancestors and learn of the previous royalty.”
“Good job, Carina! That’s right, but you’re missing a few things,” Carine said. “Don’t forget that it’s not just learning of the previous royalty, but of the Goddess and the origins of the Edryanis. It is important to note that there will be a showcase of how our great country began.”
Carina nodded her little head, curls flying this way and that. “I’ll remember brother!”
“Good, now what is on the third day?”
“The Sacrifice of Three!” As she said this Carina held up three fingers proudly, only after counting them out first.
“And what will happen on this day of the summit?”
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Their father watched the two proudly, a broad grin on his face. Everything he worked for… was for this, and seeing his two children interact made Carine Sr. grateful for the trials and tribulations he’d undergone to raise his family’s status. They weren’t quite a clan, but alongside his brothers, the Holmes held over thirty members to their family. They’d expanded their trade from restored second-hand goods, to hiring skilled craftsmen to create uniquely crafted items and refined textiles. If Carine Jr. was successful in his practice of the law and could gain a foothold in the capital, then the family was ready to send more sons and daughters to learn the law.
Eventually, their carriage made it to the palace and the family quickly emerged on a bright, sunny day. A liaison greeted them and began to direct them inward. Carine held his briefcase tight. For months as his thesis in [Law School], the young man not only studied all the major laws that affected the country, he’d drafted a few improvements that could be held. Many outdated laws still held effect in today’s society—now it was time for them to be updated and changed.
Carine’s graduating thesis focused on this, and his grand plan to not only reinstate the Commoner Empowerment Act but expand upon it was held tightly in his hands. Now, if one day he got an opportunity to meet the prince…
His thoughts drifted off, but his focus quickly returned as they made their way into the palace. Carina’s eyes were as wide as saucers as busy palace maids and other personnel rushed through the halls. Some were escorting other guests like them, others were carrying trays full of light snacks for the guests to enjoy. Regardless, no one looked unhappy and everyone was busy.
Carine’s eyes were similar to that of his sisters but with more poise. His days of suffering through noble etiquette training weren’t for nothing. The lessons his father paid for would be put to good use.
The palace halls were wide slightly over nine meters in width and six in height. Large decorative banisters were every dozen or so feet as giant decorative statues, Carine only realized as golems held them. The golems appeared to be knights in shining armor, but a quick examination from Carine confirmed they were some of the famed prince’s works.
“Amazing, the craftsmen ship on these golems are…,” the voice of his father said.
“Ahh, you must be referring to the [Golem Knights] designed by His Highness Prince Lawruthian and built by the Master Craftsmen Houses? Wonderful products, aren’t they? His Highness designed them when he was just seven years old, and shortly after they were adopted into the standard protection for the royal palace. They run on the famed Imperius Golem Batteries but, of course, a version not released to the public.”
“They’re remarkable, we thank the Goddess daily for blessing Edryan with his presence. Will there be any chance of His Highness showing at…,” his father’s voice trailed off.
“You’ll be stationed in the Lougan Hall, for now, where other merchant businesses of similar status and lesser nobility will be. Do note that these businesses were amongst the first to adopt His Highness’s new practices,” their guide stated. “As for His Highness showing… well, it is confirmed that he’ll be present to give the speech but as to what hall he’ll be stationed in… that…”
“Say no more my good sir—just that is enough!”
Carine listened closely, although they didn’t know the status of the prince, mingling with others who also were smart enough to use the crown prince’s new products immediately could allow the Holmes to form new connections. His father was fishing for information, but it was clear their guide didn’t have much to offer.
As a family without deep foundations, the Holmes wasn’t sure exactly the full implications of the Imperius Grand Summit. Still, even they could see it was not just about gathering all the nobles in one place. Both men of the Holmes would do their best to fish for whatever information they could.
“We’ve arrived at Lougan Hall,” the guide said. “I will be taking my leave here, however, should you need a guide…”
Carine stopped listening here as he looked in curiously. Hundreds of people were gathered within the room yet no sound emerged. Curiously, he walked through the large entrance only to pause stunned as the voices of hundreds hit him. Carine jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder, jolting him from his state.
“Be mindful son, had you finished listening to the guide you’d have known of the sound barrier located around the hall. He warned it can be disorientating to those who’ve never experienced it before.”
Lougan Hall was… bountiful. Thousands of people intermingled as the Holmes slowly walked inside, followed by a dozen other guests who just arrived and a dozen more behind them. The space was massive, with thick marble pillars rising to hold the tall ceiling. Each pillar was carved to perfection as men on horses galloped up the pillars on the left only to arrive at a beautifully carved battle that took place on the ceiling above. Their opponents, carved on the right pillars were hideous men-like creatures with tridents riding sea-beast.
The family slowly walked up to one of the large pillars, where other guests who held similar interests were doing the same. Carina gasped and squeezed her father’s hand as she pointed at the pillar. “Father… they all have different faces!”
The closer they got to one pillar, the more impressed the family became as they recognized individual faces carved. Carine pulled up close and studied the pillar intensely, like-minded people doing the same. Each of the carved men had a face different from the one next to them. Even the horse’s manes seemed to be different as the young man studied the pillar.
“If you’re looking to spot any similar faces, don’t bother—they’re all uniquely different and could be real people,” a voice commented to his left.
Carine turned to speak to the figure, but the darkly dressed woman was already walking away. Awkwardly, he turned back to the pillar and studied it for a few more moments before pulling away.
He chuckled as he spotted his father already conversing with a similarly statured man, who brought along his young son. Since his father and sister were already preoccupied, the young man would look around by himself.
Outside the attracting pillars, the hall held several raised platforms where it seemed debates and other various talks were being held. This naturally drew in Carine, and he immediately began to head toward one of the largest platforms, where a well-dressed youth spoke to a gathering crowd.
All around Carine, maids, and other servants made sure the small snacks were always within reach. The air was thick with the smell of perfume and baked goods as Carine recognized the specialties of LSG. The atmosphere was infectious and laughter was aplenty.
“…opinion, that the benefits and efficiency of the Rail system are great, but Edryan should focus her efforts on revolutionizing our air transportation. Through flight, one can leave our great capital Edrya, and arrive in Laguu, Rumis, and see the beautiful Majeenta Forest as they travel through the Narri Plains.”
A figure stepped up, and the young man made room for her to step on stage. The woman was older, appearing to be in her upper thirties. To Carine, that meant she was most likely nearing her seventies.
“Thank you,” she began. “As these platforms are meant for debate, I’ve come to present myself as a suitable opponent to your argument.”
The young man looked pleased, and he gestured to the center, where she’d be able to better speak to the growing audience.
“I am Marri Betts and although Colston Flo’s point is valid, there are startling problems he’s lacked in mentioning. The first is the approved travel routes through the air. Please keep in mind nature owns the sky, land, and seas just as much as we do. There are approved air routes for a reason, and often, they cause long detours as one cannot simply just travel in a straight line from Edrya to Laguu or Rumis. Instead, they must ensure to stick in the low magical zones in which the mana density isn’t high. I don’t believe I need to state the importance of this, the most dangerous creatures are where the mana is aplenty… onto the second matter…”
Carine’s brown eyes grew bright with excitement as he understood the nature of the platforms and how they worked. However, before he looked for a platform for himself, he traveled to several more of the raised areas and observed.
The platforms functioned as part debate stages, part speaking platforms, in which one could step in to discuss anything they fancied. Carine heard everything from product pitches, idea analysis, to general conversation about the state of the queendom. Anything was on the table it seemed, but it was up to the speaker to draw in the necessary crowd. Carine watched as once they stepped down, many would approach to continue the conversation. Business deals were being struck with each passing second. To the small merchant companies and noble houses, this was a paradise of like-minded or similar statured people who could quickly become acquaintances of equal basis. As they were all of similar status, there was no need for any to watch how and to whom they talked to outside the general respect given.
Carine approached a platform as one gently stepped away. In his hands was his briefcase of ideas. When it came to debating and breaking down ideas… this… was where he excelled.